"Calm down a little."
Seeing Mei Terumi clinging to him, Yorin just felt a bit of a headache.
Of course he could guess what she was thinking.
She'd been rattled.
She'd seen his entire fight with Kakuzu—and it scared her.
Don't be fooled because Kakuzu got smacked around like a grandson when he faced Yorin—that's because it was Yorin.
Before, Yorin was quasi–beyond-Kage; now, with the "youth version" Takemikazuchi armor, he was solidly beyond-Kage. Beating Kakuzu like a kid was only natural.
If Mei had been the one facing Kakuzu, she'd have been blown to pieces—maybe a Mei Terumi ten years from now could go fifty–fifty or even win.
But this Mei is just free lunch.
So yeah—she got scared.
If a Kage-class like Kakuzu would come for her bounty, then others surely would too.
She pictured eyes lighting up as money signs—people shouting, "Mei Terumi! Where's Mei Terumi?"
"Hee-hee, I'll chop you into eight pieces and cash in your head!"
"If you're smart, kill yourself."
Thinking that, Mei fell apart inside.
No—I need a plan. Otherwise I die for nothing.
A powerful sense of crisis surged. She trusted her talent and effort and believed she would one day become top-tier.
But that's the future. If she can't deal with Kage-class bounty hunters now, she won't have a future.
Hence what just happened.
Yorin.
Uchiha Yorin.
That terrifying monster named Kakuzu had been casually slain by him.
If anyone in this world can protect me—it's only him. Only this overwhelming man.
But how do I make him protect me?
Yes, right now she's his subordinate, fighting for the shinobi world's liberation. In that capacity, he will help her.
But with fear gnawing her to the bone, that wasn't enough.
She needed something closer—tighter—to feel safe.
In other words—
A lover.
If they became lovers, Yorin would naturally protect her better. Then she could finally rest easy.
They called them the "harem Sannin," but in truth, none of the three—Mei, Pakura, Tsunade—were "lovers" in the usual sense.
At least not until tonight, when Tsunade and Yorin kissed and made it official.
Pakura: lifesaver and last bond.
Tsunade: partner and something ambiguous.
Mei was worst off—just a subordinate, even a prisoner of war who had defected.
Round it off, all three were "more than friends (?), not quite lovers." Even at the tiny villa, they slept in separate rooms.
Mei figured—this is the window. Slip in while it's open.
…
Yorin could read her mood just fine.
So—accept?
Tsunade was watching like a hawk. If he accepted now, the Tsunade route he'd just advanced would backslide.
But if he refused…
Mei was putting on a brave face, but inside she was very fragile and frightened. If he turned her down, he worried she'd do something extreme.
Pakura: "So that's why you're choosing the scumbag route—not proactive, not rejecting, not responsible?"
Yorin: "I'm saving the world—and in my spare time, saving a maiden's heart."
Pakura: "Heh."
In short, Uchiha Yorin didn't say a word to Mei Terumi—nor did he push her away. He simply held the redhead gently and looked at her with warm eyes.
At first she was nervous and shy. Pakura was fine; Tsunade's gaze was sharp as a shuriken.
But soon, she settled.
That feeling of being wrapped in warmth gave her a deep sense of peace.
So she said nothing.
Just closed her eyes, leaned softly against his solid, broad chest, and felt.
That strong, safe feeling brought a sweet smile to her lips.
"So safe. I just want to stay like this, forever."
Of course—not happening.
At last Tsunade couldn't help snapping: "How long are you two gonna hug, for crying out loud?"
Only then did Mei reluctantly let go, looked at him with hopeful, embarrassed eyes, opened her mouth, and said: "Thank you."
Unlike her earlier foxy teasing, this shy Mei had a different charm. Precisely because the shyness felt genuine—not an act—it was all the more irresistible.
Ah—too much.
When a sultry big sister suddenly turns pure, the appeal actually spikes. This is that legendary gap moe, huh?
Yorin thought: "Alright—let's find another place to sleep."
Tsunade was still a little miffed, but she didn't speak—just gave a small "mm" to agree.
So they found a small town and booked an inn. Under the proprietress's very curious gaze they took four rooms and turned in.
Proprietress: "???"
"Really don't want the super-deluxe couple's king suite?"
Yorin: "No need."
She kept giving Yorin that look—clearly running calculations to process the subtle triangle (square?) between him and the "harem Sannin."
Why would a one-guy-three-girls group, checking in late at night, not book a single huge party room, but split into separate rooms?
She probably won't figure it out in this lifetime.
…
Either way, after that half-night of chaos, everyone needed rest.
Kakuzu—beaten.
He'd seen his own heart clearly.
If this were the "old" Akatsuki, taking Kakuzu in wouldn't be impossible. But since Akatsuki had been retooled as a revolutionary outfit, there had to be a bar to entry. Someone like Kakuzu—forget it.
With Yorin's changes, Akatsuki's roster would be different from the original. For starters: Kakuzu's partner, that guy named Hidan—definitely not.
…
And so the matter ended perfectly.
At least, that's what Yorin thought.
He stretched long on the bed, let out a satisfied sigh, and was about to sleep.
But before that—
"Yorin-kun…"
A familiar voice came from the door:
"I'm coming in~"
Silent as a shadow, a familiar figure slipped close. Then, under the covers—a warm, soft girl.
Mei Terumi?
Tsunade?
Nope—it's me, Pakura!